Lime Scooters in Paris

By David Dadoun | Published: September 24, 2018

ari on lime scooterTraditionally, proverbial walking or the Paris metro were the transportation method of choice to get around the city. And, while Uber is now a convenience to take advantage of (much to the annoyance of Paris taxi drivers), Lime Scooters are a great and fun way to see the city.  Much like the TV show the Amazing Race, would-be users of Lime Scooters hunt for an available one on the Lime App, and a race develops who can get to one first.  On at least one occasion another person snatched one out of my hands and in another I was a step ahead of a couple to obtain my own.  The best part is these scooters are fast, reasonably safe, and except when on cobblestone streets, you can scoot around and see much more than on foot.  More information about Lime Bikes and Scooters can be found here.

Paris in the Fall

By David Dadoun | Published: September 23, 2018

IMGP1997.JPGA new rhythm begins in Paris with la rentree, when Parisians return from their vacances, and shops re-open all spruced up after a month off.  Yes, France remains a stalwart in the European economy despite the 25 or so days of vacation that Parisians take in a year, with a good chunk of it in August.  The rush of la rentree means waiting in long lines (but be wary of people who coyly cut in front), like a hurricane is about to hit the middle of France along the Seine.  The humming of cars in the streets, the clip clop of high heels walking on the pavement, and the melodic tunes of children talking to their parents on their way to school is the pull of life you see and hear as Paris returns to normalcy. Read More »

Rock En Seine — Summer Rock Festival

By Kacee Taylor | Published: August 1, 2018

rock en seine 2013The summer annual rock festival has once again provided great entertainment to wrap up a vibrant Parisian summer.  The weekend of August 24-26, come out to Parc de Saint Cloud to hear this summer’s hottest bands.   The crowds reach over 20,000 with many people camping out for all 3 days, with other activities available if you need a break from the concerts, including an area for kids.   And, of course, there is the famous festival camping.  Buy tickets now before they sell out.  Read More »

Allez Les Bleus! Where to Celebrate France’s Worldcup Win

By David Dadoun | Published: July 15, 2018

france world cupWhen I was in France the last and only time it won the World Cup, the French were so delirious in watching their team win they asked me questions like:  “Can Americans run as fast as the French?”  This time the questions take a Trumpian tone, like:  is not France’s First Lady more beautiful than America’s?  In either case, the celebrations are on the way as France won this one with the help of a Croatian own goal and a penalty kick from an inadvertent hand ball in the first half – without making a shot on goal — not to mention a bluster by France’s goalkeeper for the ages.  So where to go?  Here are some top spots, many within reach of the Champs de Mars. Read More »

Jardin des Tuileries — Summer Carnival

By Elise de Medici | Published: July 15, 2018

If you have wandered near the Louvre or Jardin des Tuileries lately, you will notice an exciting addition on the rue du Rivoli wing, and a rather large one at that! La Fête Foraine is the temporary summer carnival implanted by le mairie of Paris for those looking for an entertaining night out with the kidsWith over 60 attractions, this fête includes a Ferris wheel, climbing wall, trampolines, merry-go-rounds, games, and sweets like cotton candy (“barbe a papa”, which means old man’s beard), crêpes, gaufres (waffles), beignets, churros (one of the only times you will find these on the streets of Paris!), guimauves (marshmallows), caramel apples (pomme d’amour, which means apple of love) and more.  It lasts through August 26. Read More »

Summer in Paris

By David Dadoun | Published: July 14, 2018

 

Photograph taken by Hélène Loiré: http://aparisouailleurs.canalblog.com/

Photograph taken by Hélène Loiré: http://aparisouailleurs.canalblog.com/

 

Ice cream cones drip in the sunlight.  Children laugh with delight as they ride the carrousel in the Jardin des Tuileries.  Women in breezy sundresses sit lazily at a café mid-afternoon.  Friends share wine, cheese, and a baguette for a pique-nique in the park. Stars only begin to sparkle in the sky after 10:00 pm, as shimmers of sunlight give the sky a light hue late into the evening.  And traffic hums on the Champs-Élysées well past 1:30 in the morning.

This is summer in Paris.  Read More »